Corinna Lawrence reaches L16

14th October 2011
A round up of Day 5 of the action from the World Championships in Catania

Corinna Lawrence was Great Britain’s standout fencer on day five of the World Championships as she propelled herself into the limelight with a strong performance in the women’s epee.

The 21-year-old, brimming with confidence from five pool wins out of six three days earlier, picked up where she left off on Thursday and stormed into the final 16, dispatching of Serbian Alksandra Jevremociv and Estonia’s Julia Zuikova along the way.

But despite her best efforts Lawrence fell just short of the quarter-finals after losing to Germany’s Monika Sozanska 15-9, meaning she finished the competition in 15th.

And with Sunday’s team event still to come, and Lawrence’s individual performances the pick of the bunch, she has vowed to build on her own success with her teammates.

“I didn’t quite fence to the best of my ability in the defeat to Monika and that is disappointing,” said Lawrence – who like the rest of Britain’s fencing team is supported by Beazley.

“I have been struggling with nerves this whole competition and I have been putting a lot of pressure on myself and maybe that was why.

“But I came here looking to get into the top 16 and I have done that so at the end of the day I have to be pleased with my individual performances.

“Right now I am disappointed that I am out but when I get home and think about to say I am in the top 16 in the world in my sport is a pretty good feeling.

“And I think it gave the epee team a boost as we had someone who has put in some good results and hopefully it will give us a boost come Sunday and we can build on this together.”

Elsewhere in the women’s epee Georgina Usher and Elisa Albini both fell at the final-64 hurdle, as did Richard Kruse and Laurence Halsted in the men’s foil.

Jamie Kenber however reached the final 32 before his run was ended by home favourite and world number one Andrea Cassara 15-4, meaning he finished 27th overall.

“I am pleased with my overall standing but not pleased with how I got there,” said Kenber.

“I shouldn’t have had such a close shave against the Dane as I should have beaten him comfortably.

“It is nice to be the top performer in my weapon but I shouldn’t score single figures against anyone, not even the world number one.

“I got embarrassed and I haven’t fenced that badly for years so it is disappointing but at least I have the team event to look forward to now.

“I am glad we have a bit of a break now as it gives me time to go away and work on things and come back ready to continue getting some solid results.”

Meanwhile, Britain’s wheelchair fencers were in action in the men’s sabre and women’s foil team events, however both squad’s finished bottom of their standings.